Associated Press: Millions die suffering amid global opioid gap, report says
“Nearly 26 million people around the world die each year with serious suffering in part because of a huge gap in pain relief: The U.S. may be awash in opioid painkillers, but they’re rare or unavailable in dozens of poor countries, says a new report…” (Neergaard, 10/13).

Newsweek: U.S. Opioid Epidemic: While America Pops Pills, Developing Countries Suffer In Pain
“…According to the report, published Thursday in The Lancet, some 25.5 million adults and 2.5 million children throughout the world die each year suffering extreme physical and psychological pain. An additional 35.5 million people live with unmanaged chronic pain conditions. More than 80 percent of these cases are in low- and middle-income countries. In Afghanistan, India, and Nigeria, for example, less than five percent of pain management needs are met, according to the report…” (Firger, 10/12).

VOA News: Researchers Alarmed at ‘Pain Gap’ Between Rich, Poor Countries
“…In a comprehensive global analysis, The Lancet Commission measured the need for palliative care in 172 countries. … Out of those 172 countries, 25 had almost no morphine. Another 15 had less than one percent what was needed. One hundred countries had only enough morphine for less than 30 percent of their patients in severe pain…” (Pearson, 10/13).